India and Pakistan isn't in the same league as this. India and Pakistan are primarily arguing about territory and like to rattle their sabres. Many also believe that this is sabre rattling and I'm sure none of the neighbors like what's happening. Israel tends to "shoot first and ask questions later" when it comes to their sovereignty. If Israel attacks and Iran has created even a dirty bomb, what do you think would happen? Plus, it can't have gone unnoticed the increase in violence against Jewish targets worldwide recently. I doubt any of that is coincidental. Someone is prodding Israel.
But, you are correct that I did not read the stories as they came out. I picked up the series as a hardbound in the 90's along with V For Vendetta (also in hardbound) around the same time. Regardless of the source of the idea, it was rather clunky and frankly a disappointing ending to what was otherwise a brilliant set of stories. The "Doctor Manhattan turned on us" angle was far more devious and really did fit better with the preceding events.
I'm looking forward to the prequels. I'm not concerned about them sullying the story any.
Think of it this way: the original Star Wars trilogy was epic and stands as one of the greatest sci-fi movie franchises of all time. The prequels were garbage. The prequels do not take away the fact the original trilogy rocked...it still rocks. Watchmen will be the same. Regardless of how the prequels do, Watchmen will still be superb.